Not too long ago, dropping by the hair care aisle simply meant stocking up on shampoo, conditioner or—for those days when you’re feeling a little fancy—the occasional hair oil. For the longest time, our wash-and-go routine has served us fairly well. But as the wellness movement continues to influence our everyday choices—from eating organic to using clean skin care products—it’s no surprise that we’re now taking hair health a little more seriously as well.
The “Skinification” of Hair Care
While targeted hair care products are certainly not a new concept, the trend has gained considerable momentum in the last couple of years—to the point that it has now earned its own nickname: the “skinification” of hair, or in simpler words, the application of skin care innovations and techniques in creating advanced hair care solutions.
This hair revolution has led to groundbreaking new products—from treatments and serums with scalp-friendly actives to radiance-boosting masks and sun protection—that prove there is definitely more to hair care than lather-rinse-repeat. And considering that your mane and scalp suffer the same beating your skin takes from the sun, weather and pollution, it only makes sense to step up your game and pamper your hair with the same ingredients and products you diligently apply to your face and body.
If you’re wondering which type of products you need to get skin care-style benefits from your hair care routine, here are some of our favorites.
Innovative Hair Care Products to Try Now
1. miriam quevedo Black Baccara Hair Multiplying Scalp Concentrate Pre-Treatment Exfoliator (2 piece)
When we speak of aging, the conversation mostly starts and ends with how it affects our skin. What we may not realize is that just like wrinkles and fine lines, hair loss (and those conspicuous grays) is one of the most noticeable signs of aging that affects men and women alike. Using similar technology as that you’d find in serums and creams for the face, anti-aging hair products boast advanced formulas that combat the telltale signs of hair aging that include thinning, dryness, brittle strands and flat-looking hair.
Try: Miriam Quevedo BLACK BACCARA Hair Multiplying Scalp Concentrate + Pre-Treatment Exfoliant
This Dermstore exclusive hair treatment breathes new life to your crowning glory by boosting hair growth with its two-step system that includes a pre-treatment exfoliator. Infused with hair growth factors, black baccara rose youth concentrate, fresh rose stem cells and moringa peptide, it works by first prepping the scalp to remove surface impurities, toxins and dead skin cells. The second step nourishes the hair and scalp with potent active ingredients that stimulate growth right from the follicles, protect from UV and pollution damage, restore and rebalance the scalp and reverse hair loss.
3. Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt (8.33 fl. oz.)
Regular exfoliation is key to keeping your skin radiant and breakout-free, and the same is true for your scalp. Scalp exfoliation keeps product residue from building up, prevents dandruff that can clog hair follicles and cause itching and keeps oil production under control.
Try: Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt
Powered by the purifying properties of sea salt, hydrating sweet almond oil and nourishing limnanthes seed oil extract, this double-acting exfoliator and shampoo removes and prevents the buildup of residue from styling products, dry shampoo, color treatments and pollution on your scalp. It soothes itching and irritation, keeps oil production under control and protects and maintains pigments in color-treated and natural hair. In a clinical study, up to 85 percent of respondents noticed an improvement in scalp comfort while 80 percent reported a reduction in dandruff and oiliness.
5. Briogeo Scalp Revival™ Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment Serum 1 oz
When your scalp is going through a dry and itchy spell, it may require more than the usual dose of pampering and TLC it gets from your shampoo and conditioner—especially when the problem goes beyond the usual dandruff. And that’s where scalp treatments come in. With ingredients like zinc, charcoal, salicylic acid and essential oils, targeted scalp solutions calm itching and irritation, regulate oil production and repair dry and damaged strands.
Try: Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment
Too much or too little sebum can result in skin that’s either too oily or dry, which, in turn, can lead to even more skin drama. The same can be said for your scalp, which holds the key to healthy hair growth. Featuring biotin, witch hazel, Binchotan charcoal and a cooling complex of peppermint, spearmint and tea tree oil, it strengthens and detoxifies the scalp, regulates oil production and soothes itching and irritation.
6. R+Co HIGH DIVE Moisture Shine Creme (5 fl. oz.)
Much like how face moisturizers and oils deliver and seal in moisture, hair moisturizers provide root-to-tip nourishment for a shinier, more manageable mane. Look for products that are infused with dry oils like argan and jojoba that can be easily absorbed without weighing your hair down.
Try: R+Co HIGH DIVE Moisture + Shine Creme
Say goodbye to frizz and flyaways with this moisturizing and smoothing hair cream that also acts as a leave-in conditioner, allowing for easier styling and manageability. Featuring sodium PCA, sunflower seed extract, argan oil and vitamins E and B5, it boosts your hair’s luster and shine while protecting it from pollution and other environmental aggressors.
7. Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil 3.4 oz
UV and pollution protectants are designed to add a layer of defense to your hair. This is particularly important as both heat and sun damage play a big role in color-fading and other signs of hair aging. These products come with natural UV filters that act as a sunscreen, coating each strand with a protective layer while keeping the hair and scalp moisturized and restoring damage.
Try: Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil
Powered by Oribe’s Signature Complex (watermelon, lychee and edelweiss flower extracts) and potent oils and botanicals—including argan and jasmine oils, shea butter and sandalwood extracts—this lightweight hair oil nourishes your hair and scalp while providing protection from oxidative stress, photoaging, keratin depletion and environmental aggressors that cause color-damage and dryness. It softens and moisturizes dry and damaged hair, repairs split ends and smooths the hair cuticle while preventing further damage.
8. Living Proof Perfect hair Day Weightless Mask (6.7 fl. oz.)
Taking their cue from the face masks that officially have become skin care staples, hair and scalp recovery masks offer the same convenience, effectiveness and variety when it comes to treating issues like frizz, itching and flakiness or color fading. And just like their skin care cousins, hair masks are also formulated for every hair type.
Try: Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Weightless Mask
This ultra-hydrating hair mask—formulated for normal, dry and damaged and fine hair types—makes sure you always step out into the world with your best hair forward. Infused with murumuru butter, amino acid complex, a biomimetic emollient blend and the brand’s patented healthy hair molecule (OFPMA), it instantly hydrates and revives dull, lackluster hair, improves manageability and strengthens your strands without weighing them down. The result? Smoother, stronger, healthier-looking hair with up to 70 percent reduction in breakage after just one use.
Janeca Racho is a Journalism graduate with over 15 years of writing experience. After getting her start in public relations and advertising, she made the switch to freelance writing and began working for various lifestyle, fashion, and travel brands. Her love for all things skincare has led her to beauty reporting and research for the last ten years. Writing for several hair and beauty blogs, she reports on anti-aging staples, trending brands and products, must-have ingredients, and health and wellness.
